Black Carp

(Mylopharyngodon piceus)

Physical Description

Black Carp are elongated, laterally compressed and have a pointed head with flattened anterior portion and small toothless mouth. Their body is brown to black in colour and bluish-grey to white on the belly with a keel from the pelvic fins to the anal fin. The fins are darker brownish-black or black with lighter hues at the base and large cycloid scales have dark edges giving a cross-hatched appearance.

Preferred Habitat

Black Carp prefer habitats in the lower reaches of rivers and lakes with spawning occurring in areas of high turbulence.

Diet

Young Black Carp feed primarily on zooplankton and later on insect larvae and detritus. Adult Black Carp feed primarily on mollusks using their pharyngeal (throat) teeth to crush the shells. Current knowledge of the species suggests however that Black Carp would not be effective in controlling Zebra Mussel populations.

Size

Black Carp reach maturity in 6-11 years and can grow to 35 kilograms and 1.8 metres in length.

Asian Carp Canada is your resource for information and news regarding Asian carp developments in Canada. This site connects visitors to the most recent prevention technologies, early warning measures, response efforts, and the overall threat of Asian carps to the Great Lakes and beyond.